Rudolf Heer

Rudolf Heer MOORESVILLE Dr. Rudolf Adrian Heer, known as "Rudy," of Mooresville, died peacefully in his home on Lake Norman surrounded by his beloved wife and daughters on March 22, 2011. A kind and generous man with a large presence in every room he entered, he was never slow to accept a challenge and lived each day of his life to the fullest. Rudy was born on August 19, 1940, in Olten, Switzerland, the youngest son of Fridolin and Margrit Heer. He developed an early love for sailing and especially for chemistry, which eventually led to a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Basel. It was there that he met his wife-to-be, Jacqueline. Shortly after his graduation, Rudy and his new bride left eastward on an adventurous trip around the world. Eventually landing in New Jersey, he took a position with Sandoz Chemicals. After the birth of his daughters, Paula and Linda, and a short stay in Atlanta, he and his family settled in Charlotte. In 1983, he accepted a leading position at Henkel U.S.A., and in 1991, he founded his own chemical company, Isochem Colors. In 2007, he became a partner in Isochem, Honduras, where he remained until his passing. The timeline of his life does little to express the exuberance he had for it. He loved to ski the Alps and the Rockies, to sail his yellow boat, the Oblivion Express, but found his true passion when he began flying private aircrafts in 1992. Rudy loved the freedom and challenge that flying gave him: he became a proficient IFR pilot, accumulating nearly 3000 hours in the air. Rudy flew various single engine planes, even experimented with aerobatics, but his pride was a Diamond Badge earned for reaching an altitude of 30,000 feet and a distance of 300 kilometers in a glider! Rudy's love for flying was matched only by his love for travel. With pride, he carried a passport full with stamps from far-away places. He especially enjoyed being questioned at customs about his visas to Pakistan, China and Honduras. Rudy is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jacqueline Bruderer Heer; a sister, Eva Heer Affolter of Olten, Switzerland; his two daughters, Paula Heer, and Dr. Linda Heer Ciavarelli and her husband, Anthony Gennaro Ciavarelli, Esq., and three grandchildren, Helena, Marcus, and Adrian Ciavarelli. A memorial celebration of his life is planned for 4 o'clock on Saturday, April 2, 2011, at the Hart Witzen Gallery, 136 E. 36th Street in Charlotte, NC 28206. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to www.airlifthope.org, an organization for which Rudy flew numerous mercy flights. Samuel S. James, FSL of Huntersville, is serving the family.